GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

(Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod) LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS February 26, 2012

THE ALTAR FLOWERS The Altar Flowers today are given to the glory of God and the beautification of His House by Donna Langlais in memory of her beloved husband Gary and in thanksgiving for Gods many blessings. THOSE WHO SERVE Pastor: Director of Parish Music: Secretary: Early Childhood Center Director: Acolyte: (8:15) Cantor: (8:15) Communion Assistant: (8:15) Ushers: (8:15) Greeters: Altar Guild: Acolyte: Cantor: Assisting Elder: Ushers: Greeter: Altar Guild: Choir: Coffee Hosts: Altar Guild: Nursery Attendant: Rev. James C. Walter Nathan Beethe Pat Funk Colleen Moorman Elisabeth Graf Paul Walter Ralph Olsen Jim Keppel, Robert Nichols Robert Wilimzig, David Witte (8:15) Bill and Anita Allaben (8:15) Lori Dumont and Angie Proud (10:45) Maxwell Baker (10:45) Jeff Ralston (10:45) Gary Proud (10:45) Shaun Baker, Jeremy Hammond, Ron Krueger (10:45) Larry, Faye, Melanie and Bradley Stillman (10:45) Judy Rivers Handbell Choir David, Diane and Alex Roberts (Wed. evening) Suzanne Raddle and Wilma Richter Mary Ann Dyer

THE FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT

PRAYER UPON ENTERING CHURCH
Almighty God, gracious Father, You did not spare Your One and Only Son but gave Him up for me and for all out of Your great love for us. You have provided for my redemption through the once and for all sacrifice of Jesus, the sinless One. Uphold me in the faith by Your Spirits power so that I might resist every temptation to doubt Your love and grace shown to me in Christ Jesus, Your Son and my Lord. I pray this in His holy name. Amen

WELCOME
Welcome to everyone! The prayer that Jesus taught His disciples to pray, we still pray today. One of the petitions of the Lords Prayer is Lead us not into temptation. In our Epistle reading for today James writes by the power of the Holy Spirit that God tempts no one. So too Dr. Martin Luther wrote, and many of us memorized these words; God tempts no one. We pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful nature may not deceive us or mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice. Although we are attacked by these things, we pray that we may finally overcome them and win the victory. (Small Catechism 6th Petition) If you are visiting with us we especially wish to welcome you! We ask that everyone fill out an attendance card found at each pew and return it to an usher during the Offering. If you would like to know more about Grace, please speak with our Pastor. Children are welcome in our Service. A nursery for infants and toddlers is located downstairs for anyone who has need.

HOLY COMMUNION
Holy Communion is celebrated in our 8:15 Service this morning. If you are not a member of Grace and desire to receive this Sacrament of Christs body and blood given and shed for the forgiveness of sins, we ask that you first speak with our Pastor so that the unity of faith might be established. Thank you for honoring this request.

AS WE GATHER
The Scriptures are filled with images of Christ long before we get to His incarnation, suffering, death and resurrection. Think of the image of Abraham and his son, Isaac. The father is ready to give up his one and only son the son of promise. But which father are we talking about Abraham or the heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus? Well the answer is yes. The Old Testament account of Abraham and Isaac points ahead to Jesus, who was tempted in every way as we are tempted, yet was without sin so that He could be the Once and for all sacrifice for our sins.

NEXT WEEKS READINGS - The appointed readings for next Sunday, March 4th: The First Sunday in Lent, are: The Old Testament Reading: Genesis 17:1-7,15-16, The Epistle Reading: Romans 5:1-11, and The Gospel Reading: Mark 8:27-38.
Grace Lutheran Church P. O. Box 250769, Little Rock, AR 72225 www.gracelutheranlr.org Telephone Number: 501-663-3631

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THE ORDER OF DIVINE SERVICE for THE FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT

Pre-Service Music Lighting of the Chancel Candles Prelude Ringing of the Church Bell Opening Hymn: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God LSB 657
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God - Helmut Walcha

we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen

Absolution

[John 20:1923]

P Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen

Sacrament of Holy Baptism (10:45)

Holy Baptism Baptism Hymn: See This Wonder in the Making
p268

Confession and Absolution (8:15)

Stand The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

LSB 593

Service of the Word

Matthew 28:19b; [18:20]

Invocation

P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen

Introit

Ps. 91:913; antiphon: Ps. 91:1516

Exhortation

1 John 1:89

P When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; C I will rescue him and honor him. P With long life I will satisfy him C and show him my salvation. P Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place C the Most High, who is my refuge P no evil shall be allowed to befall you, C no plague come near your tent. P For he will command his angels concerning you C to guard you in all your ways. P On their hands they will bear you up, C lest you strike your foot against a stone.

P If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. C But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Silence for reflection on God's Word and for self-examination.

Confession of Sins
P Let us then confess our sins to God our Father. C Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what

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P You will tread on the lion and the adder; C the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. C Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. P When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; C I will rescue him and honor him. P With long life I will satisfy him C and show him my salvation.

Salutation and Collect of the Day

Canticle: Your Heart, O God, Is Grieved

LSB 945

P Let us pray. O Lord God, You led Your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land. Guide the people of Your Church that following our Savior we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Sit

Anthem Old Testament Reading

P This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

Go to Dark Gethsemanee - John Behnke Genesis 22:118

Gradual

Heb. 12:2

1970 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, no. 100011479. Public domain

[O come, let us fix our eyes on] | Jesus,* the founder and perfecter | of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despis- | ing the shame,* and is seated at the right hand of the | throne of God.

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Epistle
P This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.
Stand

James 1:1218

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Sit

Verse of the Day

Eph. 6:11

P Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Children's Message Sermon Hymn: The God of Abraham Praise LSB 798 sts. 15

Verse for Lent

Joel 2:13

Sermon On the Mount of the Lord it Shall be Provided

Stand

Genesis 22:118

Nicene Creed (8:15)

C I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.
1978 Lutheran Book of Worship.

Holy Gospel
P The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the first chapter.

Mark 1:915

The reading of the Holy Gospel.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.

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He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life T of the world to come. Amen

Prayer of the Church

P Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. Each petition ends with the following: P Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer. The prayers conclude with the following: P Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. C Amen
Sit

Apostles' Creed (10:45)

C I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life T everlasting. Amen

Offering
Stand

The God of Abraham Praise - Benjamin Culli

Offertory

Psalm 116:12-13, 17-19

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Proper Preface 10:45 Service continues on page 17

P It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who overcame the assaults of the devil and gave His life as a ransom for many that with cleansed hearts we might be prepared joyfully to celebrate the paschal feast in sincerity and truth. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:

Service of the Sacrament (8:15)

Preface Sanctus
2 Timothy 4:22; [Colossians 3:1]; [Psalm 136] Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 21:9

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Prayer of Thanksgiving
P Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross. Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit. Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament. Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen

Lord's Prayer
C Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen

Matthew 6:913

The Words of Our Lord

Matthew 26:2628; Mark 14:2224 Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:2325

P Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: Take, eat; this is My T body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me. In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My T blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.

Pax Domini

John 20:19

Proclamation of Christ

1 Corinthians 11:26; Revelation 22:20

P As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lords death until He comes. C Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. P O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:

Agnus Dei

John 1:29

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Sit

Distribution Communion Instructions: The Pastor invites the communicants, those who are able, to kneel and then distributes the host which may be received into the hand or the mouth. The Elder distributes the individual cups. The communicants are asked to hold their cups until the Pastor says, Take and drink. Hymn: Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord Hymn: Through Jesus' Blood and Merit Hymn: Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus
Stand

Post-Communion Collect
P Let us pray. Gracious God, our heavenly Father, You have given us a foretaste of the feast to come in the Holy Supper of Your Son's body and blood. Keep us firm in the true faith throughout our days of pilgrimage that, on the day of His coming, we may, together with all Your saints, celebrate the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom which has no end; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

LSB 637 LSB 746 LSB 531

Nunc Dimittis

Luke 2:2932

Benediction

Numbers 6:2426

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Closing Hymn: The God of Abraham Praise Postlude

LSB 798 sts. 69

THIS WEEK AT GRACE SUNDAY: 8:15 a.m. Divine Service with Holy Communion Fellowship and Coffee in the Parlor 9:45 a.m. Sunday School and Pastor Walters Bible Class Young Women of Grace Bible Class 10:45 a.m. Divine Service 7:30 a.m. Early Childhood Development Center 4:30 p.m. 7th Grade Confirmation 6:00 p.m. Childrens Choir 9:30 a.m. Tuesday Morning Bible Class 6:30 p.m. Adult Choir 6:30 a.m. Mens Bible Class St. Vincents, 4th floor 5:30 p.m. Lenten Dinner 5:45 p.m. Handbell Choir 7:00 p.m. Lenten Vespers 4:15 p.m. 8th Grade Confirmation

Prelude & Fugue in A Minor [BWV 559] - J.S. Bach

T MON-FRI: MONDAY:

Service Concludes (10:45)

Concluding Collect
P Blessed Lord, You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning. Grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that, by patience and comfort of Your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. C Amen

TUESDAY: WEDNESDAY:

FRIDAY:

Benediction
P The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift His countenance upon you and T give you peace. C Amen

SUNDAY SCHOOL TODAY - As we begin the season of Lent, the Sunday School students study the account Jesus Calms a Storm. Just as Jesus calmed the storm with His Word for the frightened disciples, so He calms and ends the storm of sin and death by taking our sin upon Himself and dying in our place so we may live eternally. Consider discussing, What did Jesus do to calm the storm? How does Jesus calm the storms in our life? SUNDAY BIBLE CLASS Pastor Walters Bible Class meets at 9:45 a.m. this morning in Parker Hall. Pastor is continuing the study of the book of Exodus.

Closing Hymn: The God of Abraham Praise Postlude

LSB 798 sts. 69

Prelude & Fugue in A Minor [BWV 559] - J.S. Bach

T
Acknowledgments

THE YOUNG WOMEN OF GRACE will meet for Bible study each Sunday morning in the classroom downstairs in the church. Bible study materials are provided, and child care is available in the church nursery. If you want more information about their class, contact Gina Junkans 455-9245. HOLY BAPTISM Molly Adrienne Beethe, daughter of Crissy and Nathan Beethe, was born on Saturday, February 18th and will be received into Gods kingdom of grace through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism in our 10:45 service this morning. Mollys baptismal sponsors are Leta Brown and Bob and Sheila Wilimzig. - 18 -

Verse for Lent 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship. Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GODS BLESSINGS TO: Feb. 26 Linnea Weed Feb. 28 Stephen Douglas Mar. 2 Ken Ross, Hannah Walter LAST WEEKS STEWARDSHIP Attendance: Sunday 2/19: 196 (8:15 111 and 10:45 85). Ash Wednesday Service 2/22: 179. Offerings: Sunday 2/19: $5,852.00. Midweek Service 2/15: $190.00. Building Fund: $125.00. Fan into Flame: $210.00. Memorials: $135.00. REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: Vera Rieve has returned home from the hospital. Sherry Bischof continues her recovery and treatments. Jeanette Keehn continues her recovery at home. Dave Graf continues healing from an injury to his eye. LENTEN SERVICE The mid-week Lenten Services will continue this Wednesday, February 29th, at 7:00 p.m. Our Lenten theme is Words of Life from the Cross Cross ss. The focus this week is The Promising Word Luke 23:43, Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise. Dinner will be served before the service in Parker Hall at 5:30 p.m. The Board of Parish Fellowship will serve Chicken Spaghetti. ATTENDANCE ASH WEDNESDAY The attendance we had for the Ash Wednesday Service, 179, was the highest that we have found on record. (In 1970 there were 172 and in 1971 there were 176) Thanks for coming out! With that come some parking issues. Mount St. Mary has given us permission to park in their lot as we have need. It is my prayer that we continue to set aside time during Lent for these Mid-Week Services. The Wednesday Services will follow the Order of Vespers until we reach Holy Week. The length of these Services should be about forty to forty-five minutes. Plan to join us for food, fellowship and Lenten Vespers. Pastor Walter 7th GRADE CONFIRMATION CLASS will meet on Monday, at 4:30 p.m. in the Parlor. 8th GRADE CONFIRMATION CLASS will meet on Friday, at 4:15 p.m. in the Parlor. WITH GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION I was astonished by many with their recognition of my Dad's contribution to Grace Lutheran, both by act and deed, and find a solace in their many descriptions of what Henry meant to them individually. Please extend to all my thanks and sincere appreciation. Karl Grever - 19 -

COFFEE HOSTS We are still in need of someone to serve coffee and refreshments on Sunday, March 11th, during the fellowship time following the 8:15 worship service. There is also a sheet that includes the dates for April, May and June. Please determine when you can serve and post it on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board by the Parlor or you can call the church office to volunteer. Thank you for volunteering!! THE LITTLE ROCK MARATHON will be held next Sunday, March 4th, beginning at 8:00 a.m. with the race route going past Grace. Both lanes of Lookout will be closed and one lane of Kavanaugh from downtown to Hillcrest will be closed. The best route to the church will be to go east on Lee to Beechwood, turn left on Beechwood going across Kavanaugh to Hillcrest. Turn left on Hillcrest and come to the church. Coming from the west on Cantrell, you can also take Kavanaugh to Hillcrest and very carefully turn left onto Hillcrest. Please proceed with care. THE WIND SYMPHONY AND JAZZ BAND of Lutheran High School South, St. Louis will perform a concert here at Grace on Saturday, March 10th, 7:00 p.m. The groups are under the direction of John W. Miller and Matthew C. Janssen and they are on their annual tour which brings them through Arkansas. The Wind Symphony will also participate in our worship services on Sunday morning, March 11th. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend. PLEASE LOCK THE DOORS Those of you who have a key to the church and use it to enter the Family Life Center are asked to re-lock the trigger-lock after you have gained access to the building. Please unlock the door, open it and then re-lock the trigger. Various doors in our FLC are being left unlocked and so we ask you to do this. Remember that the doors will not open from the outside unless you turn the trigger-lock if the inside panic bars are not set to unlock. However, just because you pull on the door handle and the door will not open does not mean that the trigger lock has been locked. Please help us keep our buildings safe and secure. Thank You! (Confused? Ask Pastor.) CAMP FALCON NEEDS A DIRECTOR! - Christ Lutheran School offers Camp Falcon, a fun and safe summer day camp experience where kids play, read, bond, and have educational-themed units and fun related activities. We need a director to organize, plan and oversee workers in this great summer camp! The salaried position begins in March to organize and plan and continues through the end of summer camp (generally end of July/early August). Please contact Heidi Guelzow at hguelzow@clutheran.org or 6635212 if you wish to apply for the Camp Falcon director position.

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BIDS AND BRACKETS!! - The Christ Lutheran School Live & Silent Auction is Saturday, March 3rd, at Pleasant Valley Country Club. The silent auction opens at 6:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m. Join us for an evening of fun, fellowship, and fundraising for CLS! Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door. Contact Jennifer Hall at Jenhall1998@sbcglobal.net or 223-9691, or call Christ Lutheran School at 6635212 for more information! VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL - Were on an Amazing Desert Journey this summer in VBS! Come explore Bible stories, take Bible challenges, make crafts, eat snacks, play games, sing, and more on this exciting expedition where we will learn about Gods love and how He provides for our lives now and in eternity through Jesus, His Son, our Savior! Our Journey will take place June 10th-14th! Look for volunteer and registration opportunities coming soon! MEMORIALS IN MEMORY OF MR. HENRY GREVER TO THE GRACE GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND By Verna, Vera and Shirley Rieve IN MEMORY OF MS. MARY ANN POLNICK Niece of Mildred Burgess TO THE GRACE GENERAL FUND By Rudy and Sherry Bischof TO THE GRACE GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND By Verna, Vera and Shirley Rieve IN MEMORY OF MRS. ELAINE SHARP Mother of Hope Wistrand TO THE GRACE GENERAL FUND By Rudy and Sherry Bischof TO THE GRACE GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND By Verna, Vera and Shirley Rieve

WORDS OF LIFE FROM THE CROSS

LENTEN SERVICES and Dinners Lenten Services 7:00 p.m. Lenten Dinners 5:30 p.m. in Parker Hall *********** Lenten Midweek February 29th - The Promising Word (Luke 23:43) Dinner served by the Board of Parish Fellowship Chicken Spaghetti Lenten Midweek March 7th - The Faithful Word (Matthew 27:46) Dinner served by JOY Club - Tacos Lenten Midweek March 14th - The Compassionate Word (John 19:26-27) Dinner served by the ACTS - Spaghetti Lenten Midweek March 21st - The Suffering Word (John 19:28) Dinner served by the LWML Evening Guild - Meatloaf Lenten Midweek March 28th - The Dying Word (Luke 23:46) Dinner served by the Board of Evangelism and Young Women of Grace Chicken Soft Tacos and Mexican Rice

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